Melissa Foster
Nov 15, 2024
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Therapy for Depression (Ages 15-17)
Helping Your Teen Reclaim Her Confidence, Joy, and Sense of Self
At Dragonfly, our therapists offer a real, down-to-earth space where clients can feel safe — no judgment, no pressure. We focus on building a relationship based on trust and meeting individuals where they are at, so they feel truly heard and supported from the very first session.
Is your teen struggling with more than just a rough patch?
Has your daughter been withdrawing from friends or family, skipping activities she once loved, or spending more time in her room than usual? Maybe you’ve noticed a drop in her grades, a loss of motivation, or changes in her sleep or appetite. She might say she’s “fine” when asked, but you can tell something’s not right.
Depression in teen girls doesn’t always look like sadness—it can show up as irritability, numbness, or feeling “off” without knowing why. You may be worried that she’s overwhelmed, stuck in a negative mindset, or carrying emotional pain she doesn’t know how to share.
As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to watch your daughter struggle and not know how to help.
If your teen seems to be losing interest in life, doubting her worth, or expressing hopelessness, it might be more than typical teen mood swings. The good news is that help is available—and with support, things can get better.
She’s Not Alone—Many Teen Girls Feel This Way
Unfortunately, depression is common in adolescence, especially for girls navigating big changes in identity, social roles, and expectations. Between academic pressure, friendship dynamics, social media comparisons, and the desire to fit in, it’s no wonder so many teens feel overwhelmed or emotionally exhausted.
Sometimes, teens don’t even realize they’re struggling with depression. They might brush it off as being tired or “not in the mood.” And because girls are often expected to be emotionally attuned or resilient, they may feel pressure to hide what they’re going through. But depression isn’t a character flaw—it’s a real emotional struggle that deserves care and attention.
With the right support, adolescent girls can learn to understand their emotions, feel less alone, and start believing in themselves again. Therapy provides a place to unpack what’s going on and find a way forward.
Therapy helps teens feel seen, heard, and capable again
At Dragonfly, we specialize in working with teen girls who feel stuck, overwhelmed, or lost in their own thoughts. Therapy can help your teen put words to what she’s feeling, explore the root of her struggles, and build healthy coping strategies for day-to-day life.
Our approach begins by creating a safe, judgment-free space where your daughter can be herself.
We know how important it is to build trust—especially with teens who might be unsure or guarded. Our
therapists are warm, relatable, and skilled at gently inviting teens to open up at their own pace.
Once your teen feels safe, we begin to explore the challenges she’s facing. That might include low
self-esteem, perfectionism, social anxiety, academic stress, identity concerns, or difficulty managing
emotions. We draw from evidence-based approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT),
mindfulness, self-compassion work, and emotion regulation skills—always tailored to your teen’s unique
needs.
We’re not here to “fix” your teen—we’re here to help her remember who she is underneath the self-doubt
and stress. With experience in working with anxiety, depression, and identity development in teens, we
offer a space where girls can feel heard, supported, and empowered to grow.
Even when things feel heavy, there is always hope.
We help your teen reconnect with her strengths, values, and sense of self.
Let’s start with a free 20-minute phone consult.
No pressure, no commitment—just a chance to talk, ask questions, and see if we’re the right fit.
You May Be Interested in Therapy for Depression in Teens-
But Have Some Questions...
What kinds of depression do you work with?
We support teen girls experiencing a wide range of depressive symptoms—whether that’s persistent low mood, irritability, loss of interest in life, perfectionism-related burnout, or stress linked to identity and self-worth. Whether the depression is mild, moderate, or more persistent, our therapists tailor the approach to your teen’s individual needs and help her find hope and connection again.
How involved will parents be in the therapy process?
Parents will definitely be involved to some extent. However, the content of the sessions will remain confidential to help build your teens trust. Teens need a sense of privacy in therapy to open up, but we keep parents informed of any safety concerns and any strategies that could help at home. We also welcome parent sessions if needed.
What if my teen doesn’t want to come to therapy?
It’s not uncommon for teens to feel hesitant about starting therapy. We encourage parents to approach the topic with curiosity and empathy—let her know therapy is a place to talk about anything, without judgment. Sometimes, framing it as “just trying it out” or focusing on specific goals (like managing stress or improving sleep) helps teens feel more open to giving it a chance.
Will my teen actually talk in therapy? She doesn’t like opening up.
That’s a common concern. Our therapists are experienced in working with teen girls and know how to build trust in a gentle, non-pressuring way. We meet teens where they are, often starting with small conversations or shared interests to break the ice. Over time, most teens open up as they realize this is a safe space just for them—where their voice matters.
Available Therapists
(Offering In-Person or Virtually Counselling Services in the Calgary Area)
Don't want to book online? Not sure who to book with?
Get in touch to book a free phone consult.
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Therapy for Depression (Teens 15-17) in Calgary, AB
In Person and Online Sessions Available
1407 10 St SW, Calgary, AB T2R 1E7
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